Soda fountain



F H. TWEED SODA FOUNTAIN May 9, 1939.

Filed Aug. 19, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 "d mm W t J n n J WM W ,7V. .6 t F9 7 7 0 W infir 5 w m 2 3% 8% Z x m 5 6 4 3 7 9 -3m38 V V J l a F. H.TWEE D SODA FOUNTAIN May 9, 1939.

Filed Aug. 19, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [722/67260?" derzck fuaeaZ Z -vy 9,1939- F. H. TWEED 2,157,154

SODA FOUNTAIN 4/ sl as [7zz/e7za07" J 23 fieziei"z'c% fi. liz/eeal 25 CA22 f5 Mu,

Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..-

SODA FOUNTAIN ration of Illinois Application August 19, 1935, Serial No.36,824

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in soda fountains and has for itsobject to provide a new and improved device of this description.

At soda fountains as at present constructed,

5 where mixed drink dispensers are used, such mixed drink dispensers aremounted on the top of the soda fountain counter, thereby occupyingvaluable counter space intended for general service to the customers.This is a serious objection on the part of the soda fountain owner. One

of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for-mountingthe mixed drink dispensers so as to leave the counter free and thusovercome this objection.

The invention has as a further object to provide means for mounting adrink dispenser in the space usually occupied by one or more of thesirup jars. The invention has as a further object to provide anadjustable supporting base for a drink dispenser which can be adjustedfor the differences in the dimensions and the angle of inclination ofthe sirup jar compartment of different makes of soda fountains.

The invention has further objects which are more particularly pointedout in the accompanying description. n

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in part section of asoda fountain before my invention is applied thereto; a

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing one form of the presentinvention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the adjustable supporting device shown in Fig.2 separate from the counter;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

Referring now to the drawings, I have illustrated in Fig. 1 a sodafountain of the usual type having a counter l for general service to thepublic. Back of the counter is a sirup jar compartment 2 into which thesirup jars 2a are received. These sirup jars are suspended by their topson a shoulder 3 connected with the counter l and a rail 4 spaced awayfrom the counter. The top of the rail 4 is below the shoulder 3 so thatthe sirup jars are set in an inclined position in order that the sirupmay be easily withdrawn therefrom. In the construction illustrated inFig. 2, one or more of the sirup jars are removed, the number dependingupon the size of the sirup jars and the mixed drink dispenser, and inthe place of such sirup jar or jars is provided an adjustable dispensersupporting base upon which is mounted a mixed drink dispenser 5. Theupper part of this base must be substantially horizontal and the base ismade adjustable so that 5 it may be attached to any of the soda waterfountains, the adjustment compensating for the differences in dimensionand differences in height between the counter and the sirup jar rail. Itis essential that the dispenser be supported at the rear side of thecounter so as to leave the counter space opposite it free for generalservice and I have illustrated one method of so supporting the dispenserwhich permits its support in an easy, cheap and efiicient manner, but itis of course evident that it may be supported in other ways and by othermeans.

In the particular construction shown the base is provided with aplurality of adjustments and I have illustrated the number ofadjustments which secure the best results. It is of course evident someone or more of the adjustments may be omitted if desired. Referring nowto the particular construction, the base-is made up of a plurality ofsections, an upper section 6 having two separated members I and 8 andupon which the dispenser 5 rests. These members may be made in anydesired form and are preferably connected together at one end by theconnecting piece 9. For cheapness in manufacture and lightnessassociated with the desired strength, I prefer to make the members I, 8and 9 integral from sheet metal formed into shape, the upper edges beingpreferably bent over to form the flat supporting faces l0, II and I2.Connected with the upper section 6 is section [3 which is preferablyadjustably connected with section 6. This section l3 has the two sidemembers I4 and [5 which are pivoted at I6 with the section 6. Themembers l4 and I5 are preferably adjustably connected 49 to the membersI and 8 in any desired manner, as by means of the slots l1 and I8 andthe fastening devices l9 and 20. The slots are in one of the sectionsand the fastening devices connected with the other. The fasteningdevices are loosened to adjust the sections and are then tightened tohold the sections in their adjusted positions. These fastening devicesare shown as threaded fasteningdevices which are loosened and tightenedby rotating them or some part 50 thereof. This adjustment levels up thetop of the dispenser support and permits the section 6 to be raised orlowered. The section i3 is connected with the section 2| in any suitablemanner, the connection being preferably adjustable. In the u particularconstruction illustrated the sections 2| are provided with forkedmembers having separated parts 22 and 23 between which the sirup rail 4or other part of the soda fountain is received. 1"here is a. fasteningdevice 24 which is tightened to hold the parts in position. The spacebetween the parts 22 and 23 is preferably large enough to receive thelargest thickness of the sirup jar rail and when applied to a narrowersirup jar rail a separate piece 25 may be inserted between the fasteningdevice and the rail.

In the particular construction shown the section 2| is made up of twoopposed members, one being connected with the member ll of section I3and the other with member l5 of section l3. This connection ispreferably adjustable. As herein shown, each member of section 2| isprovided with a member 26 which is pivoted at 21 to its associatedmember and the members I4 and I5 are adjustably connected therewith. Themembers I and I5 have the laterally extending members 28 which engagethe members 28 and which are connected thereto by means of the slots 28and 38 and the fastening devices 3| and 32. It will be seen that byloosening the nuts 31a and 320. the sections may be moved relatively toad just them. This adjustment adjusts for differences in distancesbetween the sirup jar rail and the counter and permits the sections 6and I3 to be moved toward or away from the counter. The member 26 isadjustably connected with the part 33 of the section 2| in any suitablemanner. As herein shown, there is a threaded member 34 which passesthrough the member 28 and which is held thereto by the head 35 and thenut 38. This threaded member passes through the opening in the part 33and is held thereto by the nuts 31 and 38. By means of this device thefinal adjustment is made.

After the other parts are adjusted, if the top of the section 6 is notlevel or horizontal then by loosening the nuts 31 and 38 the sections 26may be moved about the pivots 21 to either lower ,or raise the rear endof the section 8 to bring said section into the proper position. Thenuts are then tightened up.

To add to the rigidity of the structure, I may provide the additionalmembers 38 which are connected to the parts 33 through the agency of thethreaded members 34, and these parts may be inserted, for example,between the nut 38 and the part 33, as illustrated, and when thesupporting device is in position they may be moved so that their endsare under the counter, as illustrated.

The section 6 may be pivotally connected with the section l3 in anydesired manner. As illustrating a simple method for doing this I providethe parts I and 8 with lugs 44 which are integral therewith and whichare formed by simply slitting the member and bending the lugs forwardly,the pivot l6 passing through the lugs and the members l4 and I5.

I prefer to provide the cross strengthening members 48 and ll at the topand bottom of the device. The dispensing device 5 resting on the top ofthe supporting device is back of the counter, leaving the counter freefor general service. This dispensing device may be of any desiredconstruction and for dispensing any desired beverage. It may be providedwith a nozzle 42 through which the liquid is discharged, the liquidbeing controlled by the handle 43.

The outer side faces of the members H and C5 are smooth so that theedges of the sirup jars will sit tightly thereagainst so as to maintaina substantially closed sirup jar compartment to hold the low temperaturetherein. The sirup jars are provided at their tops with an outstandingledge 2b which engages the supporting parts 3 and 4, and thisoutstanding ledge of the sirup jar on each side of the support engagesthe flat face of the associated side of the support, as shown in Fig. 5.When the device is used in connection with the sirup jar compartment aclosure 45 extends across the compartment at the portion thereof wherethe supporting device is located so as to close the sirup jarcompartment at this point to maintain the low temperature therein.

I have illustrated a supporting device in connection with a sirup jarcompartment but it is of course evident it may be placed in some otherposition. I have also shown the supporting device as of a particularconstruction and having certain adjustments, but it is of course evidentthat the construction may be varied in many particulars, and some partsomitted and others not here shown used without departing from the spiritof the invention as embodied in the claims hereto appended, and Itherefore do not limit myself to the particular construction shown. Itwill further be seen that by means of this construction I provide asingle, standard adjustable piece which can be easily and quicklyadjusted to variations in types and makes of soda fountains. This devicemay be simply, quickly and economically fastened in position to thesirup jar rail by the adjustable clamping section and then the partsadjusted for angular, vertical and horizontal positions by means of theadjusting means illustrated.

I claim:

1. A'soda fountain comprising a counter, a sirup jar supporting deviceback of the counter having two members between which the sirup jar issupported, said members having a space between them, and a drinkdispenser supported on the sirup jar supporting device above said spaceso as to leave the counter at the front thereof free for generalservice.

2. A soda fountain comprising a counter, a sirup jar supporting deviceback of the counter having two members between which the sirup jar issupported, said members having a space between them, an adjustable basemounted on said sirup jar supporting device, and a drink dispensermounted on said adjustable base, back of said counter, above said spaceso as to leave the portion of the counter in front of it free forgeneral service.

3. A soda fountain comprising a counter, a

drink dispenser, a sirup jar supporting device back of the counterhaving two members between which the sirup jar is supported, saidmembers having a space between them, an adjustable base having a sectionmounted on the sirup jar supporting device and extending across saidspace, and another section adjuscably connected with the first section,the drink dispenser being mounted upon said latter section, back of thecounter, so as to leave the portion of the counter in front of it freefor general service.

4. A device of the kind described for use in connection with a sodafountain having a sirup jar supporting device and a drink disp'enser,

comprising a base having a lower section adapted to be connected withthe sirup jar supporting device, and an upper section'connected withsaid lower section, upon which a drink dispenser may be mounted, andmeans for adjusting said upper section vertically with relation to thelower section.

5. A device of the kind described for use in connection with a sodafountain having a sirup jar supporting device and a drink dispenser,comprising a base having a lower sction adapted to be connected with thesirup jar supporting device, and an upper section connected with saidlower section, upon which a drink dispenser may be mounted, and meansfor adjusting said upper section horizontally with relation to the lowersection.

6. A device of the kind described for use in connection with a sodafountain having a sirup jar supporting device and a drink dispenser,comprising a base having a lower section adapted to be connected withthe sirup jar supporting device, and an upper section connected withsaid lower section, upon which a drink dispenser may be mounted, andmeans for adjusting said upper section. vertically and horizontally withrelation to the lower section.

'7. A device of the kind described for use in connection with a sodafountain having a sirup jar supporting device and a drink dispenser,comprising a base having a lower section adapted to be connected withthe sirup jar supporting device, and an upper section connected withsaid lower section, upon which a drink dispenser may be mounted, andmeans for adjusting said upper section vertically with relation to thelower section, and a second means for adjusting one end of the uppersection vertically with relation to the lower section.

8. A device of the kind described for use in connection with a sodafountain having a sirup jar supporting device and a drink dispenser,comprising a base, a lower section inclined at the bottom, means forconnecting said lower section to a support, an intermediate sectionadjustably connected with the lower section, and an upper sectionadjustably connected with the intermediate section and having its upperface substantially horizontal when in its operative position, andadditional means for. raising or lowering one end of the upper sectionto make the final adjustment thereof.

9. A device of the kind described for use in connection with a sodafountain having a sirup jar supporting device and a drink dispenser,comprising a lower section and an upper section, and means foradjustably connecting them together so that the upper section issupported by the lower section and means for adjusting said uppersection horizontally and vertically, said upper section having two side,separated members, and a connecting member connecting them togetherintegral with the side members.

10. In combination with a sirup jar support of a plurality of spacedsirup jars mounted thereon and an adjustable holder for a beveragedispenser, said holder being removably carried by the sirup jar support,said holder having a fiat outer surface which engages the adjacent sirupjar and makes a tight connection between it and said adjacent sirup jaron the sirup jar support.

11. A soda fountain comprising a counter, a sirup jar receivingreceptacle, back of said counter, provided with a sirup jar supportingdevice, a base mounted on said sirup jar supporting device above saidsirup jar receiving receptacle, a drink dispenser mounted upon saidbase, and means associated with said base for closing the sirup jarreceiving receptacle at the point where the base is located to maintainlow temperature in the sirup jar receptacle.

FREDERICK H. TWEED.

